Max's POV
-the best day of my life, so far.
That's how I ended my first diary entry yesterday. Honestly, I had no idea being on the run could actually be fun. Fang's witty, sarcastic comments coupled with his façade of humorlessness just made my day. He was really easy to be around, at least for me, since I was a lot like him.
I flirted with consciousness for an hour before I finally opened my eyes. Fang was sitting down several feet to my right, watching my every move. As creepy as it may have sounded, I didn't feel threatened in the least.
He offered me a hand up, a slight smirk on his face. I gritted my teeth and slapped his arm. Did he really think that I couldn't get up on my own? I owned him yesterday in a race. I could've lost him within two minutes, but I wanted to make him feel like he was putting up a fight. Plus, the expression on his face when he saw that I wasn't even breathing hard at the end was priceless.
"So, what's the game plan?" I said groggily.
"I'm thinking about heading west to California. I think we both want to get out of her as soon as possible. By the way, before you woke up, I refilled our bottles and got some food," Fang said.
FOOD. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until Fang brought it up; I hadn't eaten for nearly a day. I grabbed my backpack, and sure enough, there was a sandwich inside. I scarfed it down in three bites.
After taking a sip of water, I warmed up and stretched.
Five minutes later, we were on our way. Fang had a map of Arizona in his backpack, and we followed it as well as possible. Even though I could run really well, I wished we had a car to speed things up. I definitely didn't have a license, and I assumed Fang didn't either. Besides, we had no way of getting a car.
Five hours later, we were at least thirty miles away from Gold Valley, as Fang called it. We stopped just inside a deciduous forest because Fang needed a quick break. Even though I was much more fit than him, he was seriously in shape. Besides myself, he was by far the fastest person I'd met.
This time, I didn't bother laughing at him for stopping. I'd already teased him enough yesterday. Besides, I'd be dumpster-diving right now if it weren't for Fang. I had no right to tease him. Although, he seemed to like it and actually responded to my playful bantering.
After two minutes, Fang slipped his bottle into his backpack and zipped it shut. He quickly hopped to his feet and took off without a word.
We jogged another five hours until dusk. I could have kept going, but Fang was completely drained. Much like yesterday, he collapsed on the ground, his backpack rolling off of him.
I opened his pack and offered him his nearly empty water bottle. He weakly took it from me and pressed the opening to his lips.
In front of us, a vast forest stretched as far as I could see. Behind the clearing we were in, there was a small lake the size of a football field. In the soft twilight, the water looked like it was glowing. Fang looked strangely peaceful next to the water.
I opened my backpack, hoping Fang had more food for me. Fortunately, two bagels and a packet of cream cheese sat at the bottom of the pack. Within two minutes, I had finished everything.
In front of me, Fang turned around. "Let's find a place to sleep."
Wait, he wanted a different place? I really liked it where we were now. "Let's stay here. I like the view of the lake."
Fang shrugged. "Sure."
"Thanks," I said with a smile.
He sat down next to me and followed me in gazing aimlessly across the lake.
After a minute, Fang looked over at me, his piercing dark eyes not moving from mine. His features were serious and unmoving, much unlike the lighthearted Fang I knew.
"I don't want to ask you this, but do you mind telling me a little bit about where you came from?"
I stared blankly at him as his words washed over me. Breathe, Max, you can tell him.
"I had a dog," I blurted out, of all things I could've said.
Fang raised his eyebrows. "Yeah? What was he or she like?"
"His name was Total, and he was a black Scottish Terrier. I mean, he wasn't like a human friend or anything, but he was always there for me. My parents never got around to retiring him or giving him away."
"Sounds like a great dog. How bad were your parents, by the way?"
A cold hand gripped my heart, awakening painful memories. Just a minute ago, living with my foster parents seemed a little out of place already, after just two days. I didn't want to think about them and all the pain they caused me again.
"I-I-" I managed to stutter, before choking up.
Fang held up his hand. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me," he said, reassuringly. I looked down. I didn't trust myself to speak without breaking down. After counting to ten, I looked back at him.
"I'll tell you eventually, 'kay? I'm just not ready now." I wanted to tell him everything, so badly, but my mouth wouldn't respond to me. I needed to get it all off my chest; the bullying I received in school, the disregard I was treated with at home, all of it.
"Of course. Sorry I asked," he said, a sincere but confident expression on his face.
I nodded absently and crawled over to the lake's edge and took in the amazing scenery to take my mind off of my parents. The lake coupled with the towering trees surrounding it made for quite a scene. When I gently put my hand in the water, a small ripple reverberated from where my hand met the water. Under the starlight, it was breathtakingly beautiful. It was like one of those scenes in a movie that was too good to be true.
Beside me, I heard a hushed noise. I quickly turned around, jumping to my feet, before realizing that it was just Fang. He had already fallen asleep and was snoring.
It was probably time I hit the sack as well. Before that, though, I took out my journal and pen and began to write.
Dear Diary,
These last two days have been the best of my life. If I had known how amazing life on the run could be, I would have left years ago. If I didn't leave, I would have never met Fang. He is the single best thing that's ever happened to me. Whichever gods prescribed my cruel life at least included one bright spot.
I hope he knows how much me means to me already. I've never had a shoulder to cry on, a friend to talk to, and a companion in the journey of life before. I'm not sure how he'll respond to my (sometimes) insane moments, but I know he'll be the first one I open up to about my past.
So, to whoever may be controlling my life right now, please don't take Fang away from me. It feels strange writing this about a person I met two days ago, but Fang's given me all the hope I've ever had in my life. I wished to never lose hope on the shooting star yesterday, so it will come true, right?
Love,
Max
